Definition of Capstan
Cap´stan
n.
1.
A
vertical
cleated
drum
or
cylinder
,
revolving
on
an
upright
spindle
,
and
surmounted
by
a
drumhead
with
sockets
for
bars
or
levers
.
It
is
much
used
,
especially
on
shipboard
,
for
moving
or
raising
heavy
weights
or
exerting
great
power
by
traction
upon
a
rope
or
cable
,
passing
around
the
drum
.
It
is
operated
either
by
steam
power
or
by
a
number
of
men
walking
around
the
capstan
,
each
pushing
on
the
end
of
a
lever
fixed
in
its
socket
.
Capstan bar
one
of
the
long
bars
or
levers
by
which
the
capstan
is
worked
;
a
handspike
..
To pawl the capstan
to
drop
the
pawls
so
that
they
will
catch
in
the
notches
of
the
pawl
ring
,
and
prevent
the
capstan
from
turning
back
.
To rig the capstan
to
prepare
the
for
use
,
by
putting
the
bars
in
the
sockets
.
To surge the capstan
to
slack
the
tension
of
the
rope
or
cable
wound
around
it
.
Related Words
winch
,
windlass
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Capriform
Caprigenous
Caprimulgidae
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Capsaicin
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Capsidae
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Capstan bar
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Capsular ligament
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Capsule
capsule of Tenon
Capsulitis
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